Real Neat Blog Award—and 7 questions

I was happy to see the other day that Raising Alex The Great nominated me for a Real Neat Blog Award. (I’ll send you my address so you can send me the check/plaque/gold-plated statue. K?) She writes about motherhood and the unique challenges—and joys—of having a premature baby. Check out the blog!

She posted a few questions I answered, below. Beyond that, I’ve nominated 7 blogs that I love—take a look for some phenomenal reading.

1. What’s your go-to dish to make when you know you’ve got important company coming over?
   I tend to make black bean-sweet potato enchiladas. (I made them last night, in fact, though we didn’t have anyone over. They’re just so good!)
2. Do you believe in the 5 second rule?
   Abso-freakin-lutely. I know that science says that food on the floor picks up germs, but I’m with the 87% of people who give dropped food the thumbs up. I’m just not germ-phobic.
3. What is your favorite online shop?
   I don’t like to shop, either in person or online, but when it’s someone’s birthday, I head to Etsy. I like that I’m supporting independent creators and that my friends and family get unique gifts.
4. What is your favorite joke?
   I’m not a good joke-teller—I tend to laugh before I get to the punchline—but I like the corny ones.
   To wit:Where did the king keep his armies?
   In his sleevies!
   *crickets, crickets*
5. What is one thing that has made you smile today?
   Peeper, as usual! She loves walking into our bedroom closet and sticking her head out the other end. “Peek!” she says. It makes me laugh every time.

   

6. What makes your house a home?
   An open door. Our place is always a mess, especially now that Peeper can pull her own books and toys off the shelves, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting friends or family to come over.Growing up, our house was in a permanent state of disarray. I was rarely embarrassed, though, and my parents were always more than happy to set the table with an additional plate for a friend who stopped by—or even throw down an extra mattress for someone who needed a place to crash for months.

   Home is a welcome mat.

7. What’s for breakfast?
   Lately, I’ve been eating Life cereal. Peeper’s breakfast requests have been getting very specific, though (“Hot dog! Avocado! Fork! Bib!” was her demand request the other day), so her tastes keep mornings interesting.

I nominate the following blogs:

Urban Bliss Life is a down to earth but stylish lifestyle blog with posts about recipes, kids’ parties and actually easy DIY.

The Monster In Your Closet tells it like it is, hold the BS. She writes about work, raising two sons and the balance of immersing yourself in the present moment without abandoning the past.

Loni Found Herself chronicles the adventures of raising a toddler in LA. I admire her openness in goal-setting and reflecting on how becoming a mom has changed her.

Little Fall Creek is a mama-homesteader who mixes posts about wrangling free-range chickens with photos of her daughter getting muddy in the yard.

A Tiny Rocket posts about motherhood and art. I can’t figure out how she finds the time to create her gorgeous paintings daily (follow her on Instagram, too!), but I find her dedication inspiring.

West Metro Mommy reads more than I thought humanly possible and publishes honest reviews of each book. This is where I go before heading to the library; I get most of my recommendations from her.

Snapshots & My Thoughts is a style and family blog out of Austin. I love her photographs, inspiring style posts and—ahem—giveaways!

Here are my questions for you bloggers to answer!

1. What do you do if you have writer’s/painter’s/photographer’s/creator’s block?
2. What’s your food guilty pleasure?
3. If you could magic yourself into an alternate career, what would it be?
4. What was your favorite childhood book?
5. What’s one thing you love about yourself?
6. Dogs or cats?
7. Any upcoming travel plans? Where?